ARN today announced the appointment of Robert Iannazzo as Chief Sales Officer, bringing more than 20 years of commercial radio experience and media leadership to the role.
Robert is a highly regarded industry leader with extensive experience building high-performing teams, growing revenue and market share, and leading commercial transformation across radio, television and digital media. He has held senior roles in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at ARN and SCA across sales, strategy and business operations.
He most recently served as Executive General Manager for Adelaide and Western Australia at Southern Cross Austereo, where he led sales, content and operations teams across both markets and was accountable for revenue, sales leadership and market strategy.
The appointment marks a return to ARN for Robert, who previously held senior sales leadership roles with the business in Melbourne.
As Chief Sales Officer, Robert will lead ARN’s national sales team and commercial strategy across broadcast radio, streaming, podcasts, digital audio, video and integrated client solutions. His focus will be on increasing Metro radio revenue share, strengthening customer and agency partnerships, driving revenue growth and ensuring ARN’s commercial proposition takes full advantage of its expanding content, data and digital capabilities.
ARN Chief Executive Officer Michael Stephenson said: “Robert has a deep understanding of radio, he has a proven track record of building high-performance teams, growing radio market share and delivering results in competitive media markets.
“Robert’s leadership and experience will be critical as we focus on growing our metro radio revenue share ensuring we unlock the full value of our audience, content and commercial assets.”
Robert Iannazzo said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to ARN, having started my broadcasting career at Gold104.3 in Melbourne many years ago. ARN is exceptionally well positioned to lead the future of audio, and I’m looking forward to working alongside Michael and the wider ARN sales team along with our customers and agencies to build on that momentum.”
Robert will replace current Chief Sales Officer Richard Hunwick, who will step away in the new year.
Michael Stephenson said: “I want to thank Rich for everything he has done at ARN. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Rich for the last 20 years, he is one the most senior and most respected media leaders in the country, he has been at the very centre of our business transformation, and his input has been invaluable.”
Richard Hunwick said: “Over the last 18 months it’s been a privilege building the foundation of something very special here at ARN, and with the exceptional team now in place I believe the business is ready to accelerate into the next phase. I’m excited to see how far Stepho and Robert will take the business next year, I will be cheering them on.”
Robert will be based in Sydney and will commence in the role on Monday September 28th. Richard will remain in Sydney and leave ARN in January.